Benhadad sent Ahab a very insolent demand. Ahab sent a very disgraceful submission; sin
brings men into such straits, by putting them out of the Divine protection. If God do not rule us,
our enemies shall: guilt dispirits men, and makes them cowards. Ahab became desperate. Men will
part with their most pleasant things, those they most love, to save their lives; yet they lose their
souls rather than part with any pleasure or interest to prevent it. Here is one of the wisest sayings
that ever Ahab spake, and it is a good lesson to all. It is folly to boast of any day to come, since we
know not what it may bring forth. Apply it to our spiritual conflicts. Peter fell by self-confidence.
Happy is the man who is never off his watch.
Verses 12–21
The proud Syrians were beaten, and the despised Israelites were conquerors. The orders of the
proud, drunken king disordered his troops, and prevented them from attacking the Israelites. Those
that are most secure, are commonly least courageous. Ahab slew the Syrians with a great slaughter.
God often makes one wicked man a scourge to another.
Verses 22–30
Those about Benhadad advised him to change his ground. They take it for granted that it was
not Israel, but Israel's gods, that beat them; but they speak very ignorantly of Jehovah. They supposed
that Israel had many gods, to whom they ascribed limited power within a certain district; thus vain
were the Gentiles in their imaginations concerning God. The greatest wisdom in worldly concerns
is often united with the most contemptible folly in the things of God.
Verses 31–43
This encouragement sinners have to repent and humble themselves before God; Have we not
heard, that the God of Israel is a merciful God? Have we not found him so? That is gospel repentance,
which flows from an apprehension of the mercy of God, in Christ; there is forgiveness with him.
What a change is here! The most haughty in prosperity often are most abject in adversity; an evil
spirit will thus affect a man in both these conditions. There are those on whom, like Ahab, success
is ill bestowed; they know not how to serve either God or their generation, or even their own true
interests with their prosperity: Let favour be showed to the wicked, yet will he not learn
righteousness. The prophet designed to reprove Ahab by a parable. If a good prophet were punished
for sparing his friend and God's when God said, Smite, of much sorer punishment should a wicked
king be thought worthy, who spared his enemy and God's, when God said, Smite. Ahab went to
his house, heavy and displeased, not truly penitent, or seeking to undo what he had done amiss;
every way out of humour, notwithstanding his victory. Alas! many that hear the glad tidings of
Christ, are busy and there till the day of salvation is gone.
Chapter 21